Why Good Character Is Important for Acquiring British Citizenship

Bruce Lee once infamously remarked,

“Knowledge will give you power, but character, respect”

But as it turns out, there’s one more thing that good character will give you, and that’s a British Citizenship! Yes, you read that right; sufficient proof of good character is a requisite of applying for UK citizenship, as people who have been involved in questionable incidents in the past will not be allowed citizenship under any circumstances!

Why Does Character Matter to the Home Office?

Simply put, the Home Office is tasked by the British Government to ensure that only people of high morals and good character are allowed passage into the country.

This law applies to everyone above the age of 10, so children below that age are exempted while everyone else needs to prove that they have no ill will before being allowed into the country!

The Home Office plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of British citizens so they offer no leniency whatsoever in this regard. Applicants must prove that they have been law abiding citizens in their native countries if they are to stand a chance of being accepted into the United Kingdom!

How Can I Prove My Character?

The Home Office looks at your character on the law of probabilities. If you haven’t been involved in any criminal activities in the past, there’s a high chance that you won’t divulge in the same in the United Kingdom. Therefore, people with a clean criminal record generally find it easier being allowed in the country.

However, if you’ve been involved in any legal activity whatsoever in your native country, you need to provide concrete evidence of the same to the Home Office. Doesn’t matter if the activity was a misdemeanour or a serious crime, police reports need to be documented and lodged with your application! This means that you have to show records of traffic offenses, parking fees, and restraining orders etc.

Similarly, you are also legally obligated to disclose civil judgements and civil penalties enforced upon you by the court in your native country. It’s better to be upfront about the issue. If the Home Office finds out that you’ve been intentionally or unintentionally hiding something from them, you might get a permanent ban and be refused to even visit the country, let alone apply for citizenship!

Need Professional Help?

If you need help getting your official documents in order or if you want to prove your character to the Home Office, we at Wembley Solicitors can help. We have a team of lawyers that have an understanding of the British law and can easily help with the entire application process. Not only that, but we can also help you settle in the UK.

Our team of UK immigration lawyers can enhance your chances of being granted citizenship. Whether you’re a skilled worker, a teacher, or a student; don’t leave your chances of getting a British citizenship up to fate! Get in touch with us today.